4th Grade Social Studies Unit 4

Big Idea:

Investigate and discuss what motivated the European explorers to establish settlements in Texas. Identify the accomplishments of significant European explorers.

Student Expectations:

Priority TEKS

4.2(A) [Supporting] Summarize motivations for European exploration and settlement of Texas, including economic opportunity, competition, and the desire for expansion.

4.2(B) [Readiness] Identify the accomplishments and explain the impact of significant explorers, including Cabeza de Vaca; Francisco Coronado; and René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, on the settlement of Texas.

4.2(C) [Supporting] Explain when, where, and why the Spanish established settlements and Catholic missions in Texas as well as important individuals such as José de Escandón.

Focus TEKS

4.6(A) [Readiness] Apply geographic tools, including grid systems, legends, symbols, scales, and compass roses, to construct and interpret maps.

4.8(A) [Readiness] Identify and explain clusters and patterns of settlement in Texas at different time periods such as prior to the Texas Revolution, after the building of the railroads, and following World War II.

4.12(C) [Supporting] Analyze the effects of exploration, immigration, migration, and limited resources on the economic development and growth of Texas.

Ongoing TEKS

4.21(B) [Ways to Show] Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.

4.22(B) [Ways to Show] Incorporate main and supporting ideas in verbal and written communication.

4.22(D) [Ways to Show] Create written and visual material such as journal entries, reports, graphic organizers, outlines, and bibliographies.

Student Learning Targets:

• I will summarize the motivations for European exploration and settlement in Texas. (writing)
• I will identify the accomplishments and impact of European explorers on the settlement of Texas.
• I will explain when, where, and why the Spanish established settlements and Catholic missions in Texas. (writing)

Essential Questions:

• What were the reasons that Europeans were motivated to explore Texas?
• What were the causes and effects of European exploration and colonization of Texas?
• How did European colonization impact Texas History?
• Why did the Spanish establish settlements and Catholic missions in Texas?
• What was life like in a Spanish mission?

Extra Information:

Adopted Textbook: American Legacy, Studies Weekly

District Grading Policy

Texas Gateway Online Resource Center